Commission on Sustainable Development
The Government has set up an advisory Commission on Sustainable Development to strengthen cooperation and deepen the analysis of issues related to sustainable development.
The Commission will comprise a broad spectrum of representatives from the business sector, independent organisations, the research community and political life. It is intended to serve as a forum for discussion, analysis and dialogue and, by adopting open working methods, to stimulate a broader dialogue in the community.
The Commission's work will be action-oriented and focus on themes identified as essential for creating the conditions for sustainable development. Of particular interest are areas in which Sweden can develop internationally competitive concepts, technologies and services and thereby also contribute to global sustainable development.
The Commission is to analyse obstacles to sustainable development and develop cross-sectoral action strategies. Its work is to have an international perspective and a scientific base.
The climate change issue will be one of the main themes for the first year of the Commission. The experience gained from this will then enable the Commission to conduct a closer examination of other priority areas related to sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Work on sustainable development needs strengthening and renewal
Sweden is to strive for ecologically, economically and socially sustainable development. Sustainable development means that our resources are to be used in a manner that is effective in the long term and thus ensures that the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We have a responsibility for managing our environmental, economic and social resource base so that coming generations, like ourselves, may enjoy a high quality of life. Sustainable development requires a long-term perspective and holistic approach.
Sweden has been able to show that it is possible, in practice, to combine an advanced level of economic and social welfare with high environmental ambitions. Our country is often held up as an model. We should continue along this path, but we need to meet new challenges and renew our working methods.
While more stringent legislation and better technology have contributed to improvement of the local environment in Sweden and many other industrial countries, pressure on the global environment has increased. The climate change problem is one example. The rapid depletion of vital ecosystems, such as tropical forests, marine resources and fresh water is another. To better understand the challenges, follow developments and assess the impact of various measures, advanced systems and methods are needed such as new indicators that supplement national accounts. A particularly important issue involves the development of principles for a correct evaluation of ecosystem services.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world. This issue requires global cooperation, the participation of many segments of society and of both producers and consumers. Efforts to slow down and alleviate the effects of climate change will entail enormous costs. But the price of not taking any action is likely to be much higher. At the global level, energy is a key issue in solving climate issues. Energy efficiency and reducing dependence on fossil fuels are ways forward but to deal with the formidable challenge presented by climate change, no course of action should be ruled out prematurely. Other challenges are related to the marine environment and threats to biodiversity, where the effects may be irreversible, and to the depletion of land and water resources which exacerbates the impact of climate change.
A global perspective is necessary. Many environmental problems are cross-border and societies the world over are interwoven through technological and economic development in increasingly complex networks. The fight against global poverty leads to justified demands for greater consumption and production in large parts of the world. At the same time, rapid economic development in some countries has led to a drastic increase in environmental damage. Several issues related to the social dimension of sustainable development are affected by globalisation. Ongoing urbanisation also has an extensive impact at all levels and requires initiatives to ensure good living conditions and counteract social exclusion. Many problems can only be solved through international cooperation - climate change is the clearest example of this.
Established institutions, ingrained behaviour and rigid sectoral boundaries sometimes prevent the political and economic spheres from facing up to this new reality. To find good solutions, it is important to work across sectors. Actors at local and regional levels play an important role. Cooperation between the different sectors of society and politics must be strengthened. Better ways of dealing with conflicts between environmental and other objectives in society need to be developed. Economic efficiency and effectiveness are essential if we are to be able to deal with the challenges facing us. Sustainable use of environmental resources is also central to economic efficiency. An important task is to create synergies between industrial and environmental policy. Environmentally adapted technology can be a strong economic lever. The role of research and education is also of central importance. Specialisation is important but equally important is an understanding of how things interrelate.
The market economy creates a strong basis for innovation and the growth of prosperity. Favourable conditions for research and development are important here. A level playing field for markets, based on social and environmental considerations, is essential for sustainable development. Taxes, subsidies and regulations must be reviewed to promote sustainable development. Economic instruments are important to create the right incentives and are often preferable to regulations.
